Shloka 10

Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)

Devanagari script

तच्छ्रुत्वा शम्भुवचनं द्रोणः प्राहाथ सन्नतः । स्वांशजन्तनयन्देहि सर्वाजेयम्महाबलम्

Transliteration

tacchrutvā śambhuvacanaṃ droṇaḥ prāhātha sannataḥ | svāṃśajantanayandehi sarvājeyammahābalam

Translation

Hearing the words of Śambhu (Lord Śiva), Droṇa, bowing in reverence, said: “Grant me a son born of Your own divine portion—of great might, unconquerable by all.”

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'श्रुत्वा' इत्यस्य कर्म

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, अव्ययभाव/gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having heard)

• शम्भुवचनम्: Śambhu’s words
• शम्भुवचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु-वचन (प्रातिपदिक; शम्भु + वचन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्म (what was heard)

• द्रोणः: Droṇa
• द्रोणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्ता

• प्राह: said
• प्राह: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आह्/अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; 'said'

• अथ: then
• अथ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भार्थक (then)

• सन्नतः: bowed, humble
• सन्नतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-नत (प्रातिपदिक; नत from नम् धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषणम् (bowed)

• स्वांशज: born of your own portion
• स्वांशज: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व-अंश-ज (प्रातिपदिक; स्व + अंश + ज)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'तनयम्' इत्यस्य विशेषणम् (born of one’s own portion)

• तनयम्: a son
• तनयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तनय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्म

• देहि: give (grant)
• देहि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

• सर्वाजेयम्: entirely unconquerable
• सर्वाजेयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-अजेय (प्रातिपदिक; सर्व + अजेय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'महाबलम्' इत्यस्य विशेषणम् (wholly unconquerable)

• महाबलम्: of great strength
• महाबलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-बल (प्रातिपदिक; महा + बल)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'तनयम्' इत्यस्य विशेषणम् (very strong)

Speaker

Droṇa

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shambhu
• Droṇa

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It highlights śaraṇāgati (reverent surrender): when a devotee bows and petitions Śiva, the Lord’s grace can manifest as extraordinary destiny—here, a child empowered by Śiva’s own aṃśa (divine portion).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Droṇa addresses Śambhu as a personal, responsive Lord (Saguna Śiva), showing that devotion to Śiva—often expressed through Liṅga worship—leads to tangible blessings and protection within the Purāṇic narrative.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies humble prayer after hearing Śiva’s teaching; a practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a bowed mind, seeking Śiva’s anugraha (grace) rather than mere worldly power.